Notre Dame GA Chris Watt Headed to the NFL

ISD has learned through multiple sources Notre Dame graduate assistant Chris Watt will leave his alma mater for a position with the Indianapolis Colts.

Watt, who played at Notre Dame from 2009-13, had two stops with the Fighting Irish as a graduate assistant during his coaching career. The first was 2020-2021 where he spent time working with Jeff Quinn before leaving to become the offensive line coach at Tulane under offensive coordinator Chip Long. 

Following a few coaching changes at Tulane, Watt returned to Notre Dame last February as a graduate assistant where he worked with his former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. 

The Glen Ellyn (Ill.) native got into coaching following a three-year career in the NFL as he made 23 starts for the San Diego Chargers before retiring in 2017 as a New Orleans Saint. 

Watt's ability to know Notre Dame, but also provide insight to the next level was priceless and was extremely valuable according to former Irish captain Robert Hainsey. 

"Watt is awesome," Hainsey told ISD in 2020. "I've known him for a little bit before he came in as a GA. He's been such a help. He gets it and knows the offensive line. He knows how to play football and played at the highest level. Insight like that, you can't get from anyone.” 

Josh Lugg spent six years at Notre Dame and was around for both of Watt’s stops with the Irish. The Pittsburgh native echoed Hainsey’s comments as Watt was able to improve the offensive line on and off the field. 

“Coach Watt is fantastic on the field and in the film room too,” Lugg said last August. “He’s very helpful in being able to see things that maybe I didn’t see or something Jarrett (Patterson) didn’t see. He can pick up on different blitzes when breaking down film. He’s good at picking up different tendencies. 

“He had Coach Hiestand, so he’s one of us in a way. If he needs to translate something, he does very well and he’s able to be there for the guys. Every day he is helping us to get better.” 

Notre Dame has filled the void left by Watt as Rob Delany is expected to work with the offensive line as a graduate assistant as he comes to the program after a year of working with the Akron offensive line. 

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